Observatree Blog

Blog

Observatree volunteers go from strength to strength

Over 13,500 reports have been submitted to date and our volunteers continue to build on this extremely valuable e-resource. During 2021, 174 reports were submitted to Forest Research for suspected priority pests and diseases.

Ana Perez-Sierra  •  21 Feb 2022

Blog

Volunteer recruitment now open!

This is a unique opportunity to help us survey tree pests and diseases in your local area. As a volunteer for the Observatree project, you’ll be contributing to protecting trees from future threats while being part of an award-winning volunteer network.

Rebecca Gosling  •  09 Dec 2021

Blog

Observatree volunteers help the Woodland Trust manage OPM

Over the course of 2021, many of our invaluable citizen scientists have continued their surveillance of Woodland Trust sites for Oak Processionary Moth (OPM).

Rebecca Gosling  •  24 Nov 2021

Blog

A moving diagnosis

If it’s possible to have a mobile home, just imagine how useful a mobile lab would be?

Dr Caroline Gorton  •  24 Nov 2021

Blog

Ash Dieback in the National Trust

 Ash is one of our most important tree species both ecologically and culturally, and is generally considered to be the third most common tree in British woods, comprising around 12% of woodland tree cover. 

Luke Barley  •  23 Aug 2021

Blog

Welcoming new associates

One of the strengths of Observatree is the Partnership. We can draw upon the expertise and skills of different organisations in a collaborative effort to help protect our trees, woods and forests from a range of invasive pests and diseases.

Peter Crow  •  27 Jul 2021

Blog

Observatree adapts for Covid-19

As a project, the impact of Covid-19 in 2020 prevented the yearly hands-on Observatree training events for our volunteers and a switch to digital communications has helped tremendously.

Rebecca Gosling  •  27 Jul 2021

Blog

Observatree Volunteers successes with Zoom

The first national lockdown in 2020 prevented the annual face to face training events for Observatree volunteers from taking place. As an alternative, a valuable series of technical webinars on pests and diseases, delivered by staff from across the Observatree partnership, were held instead. 

Richard Churchman & Paul Gill  •  02 Mar 2021

Blog

Observatree is a Constant in 2020

We could say that this year has been unusual, and we had to adapt to new ways. However, nothing has stopped Observatree volunteers keeping their eyes open and reporting pests and diseases to the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service (THDAS). 

Ana Perez-Sierra  •  11 Feb 2021

Blog

Monitoring new pests and diseases on the horizon

Dr Charles Lane, plant pathologist and Observatree lead for Fera Science Ltd describes how potential new threats to our trees from other parts of the world are monitored and introduces Beech Leaf Disease.

Charles Lane  •  14 Nov 2020